Spotlight on success for UK turkey producers

A conference to help Christmas turkey producers gear up for a successful 2006 crop and compete with imports takes place on Thursday 8th June staged by HST Feeds at its Crewe mill in Cheshire.

Speakers and topics include the NFU's Michael Bailey on Marketing British Turkeys including details of a new NFU promotion, Roger Finney of Holly Berry Hatcheries on Breeding and Programming, and vet Keith Warner on Maximum Health, Minimum Disease. For delegates wanting to inspect how turkey feeds are manufactured, a guided tour of the feed mill will also be available.

Over recent years the specialist Christmas market, once the sole domain of British farm reared turkeys, has been eroded by cheaper turkeys of unknown production system and origin, according to poultry products manager at HST Feeds, Stuart Hinchly. "This year, producers are likely to face even stiffer competition," he says. "This event will not only guide you on how to grow healthier turkeys, but also help you promote your British turkeys and protect your market. The aim is that everyone attending will take home at least one change for the better that they can use this season."

The conference starts at 12 noon with a buffet lunch and closes at 300pm. Each delegate will receive a discount voucher redeemable on every tonne of turkey feed purchased from HST throughout the 2006 season. There is no charge to attend but places should be reserved in advance with the event organiser on 01270 500300, hstpoultry@btconnect.com or admin@hstfeeds.co.uk.